Workshops

Photography workshops on Lismore

Join us for this photography workshop over a long weekend on the beautiful Scottish island of Lismore, from Saturday 23rd – Monday 25th May 2014.

In our increasingly visual world, there are many reasons why you might want to improve your photography skills. Perhaps you have a new camera, and want to find out more about how to make the most of it. Maybe you’re planning a holiday, or family event, and want to learn how to take better photos, so you can go back and really enjoy your memories into the future. Or perhaps you’d like to learn to take eye-catching images to liven up your website or social media pages.

It doesn’t matter what sort of camera you have – as long as you can point and shoot, we’ll have some fun exploring possibilities! There’s a maximum of 4 places on the weekend, so there will be plenty of time to answer questions, and look at particular areas you’re interested in. I aim to keep the jargon to an absolute minimum – taking great photos doesn’t need to involve learning a whole new language!

“Thanks for a great weekend – I was so impressed by how much I learned, so fast and so enjoyably. The results speak for themselves! For a real kick-start to better photos, it couldn’t be bettered. Highly recommended, great fun and great value.” DB – May 2013

The photography workshop will include several sessions on composition. Other sessions can be tailored to particular areas that participants are interested in covering, and could include topics such as photographing people, editing photos, beginning to use flash, or learning about using manual camera settings. Whatever we cover, there will be plenty of opportunities to get our cameras out and put it all into practice.

“I learnt a lot and now know not only how to move away from automatic onto the once feared Manual (no longer feared) but I know about aperture and shutter speed and even when to prioritise them. It was the technical stuff I wanted and it was the technical stuff I got in spades and in a very understandable format when, as you know, I thought myself unteachable” PD, May 2013

Carnie cottage on Lismore

Location

Carnie cottage, Isle of Lismore, Oban, Argyll and Bute, PA34 5UG

The workshop is based in Carnie Cottage which is roughly in the middle of the island of Lismore. It’s about 2 miles from the ferry terminal at Achnacroish, and six miles from the ferry at Point. It’s just a short walk from the cottage to the island shop and the community hall.

Dates and times

The photography workshops will run from Saturday 23rd – Monday 25th May 2014. We’ll start the workshops at 10am on the Saturday morning, and finish at 1pm on the Monday. If you’re arriving on Lismore on Friday, come and join us at the cottage for a welcome drink in the evening.

Prices

The workshops plus accommodation at Carnie Cottage (including all meals) costs £190 per person. Arrive any time from 6pm on the Friday evening.
The workshops without accommodation (includes lunch each day) costs £150. You can find out about B&B accommodation, self catering cottages, and camping on the island on the Lismore Community website. Marsh cottage is a short walk from Carnie cottage.

Getting there

There are ferries to Lismore each day from Oban to Achnacroish (car ferry) and from Port Appin to Point, near Port Ramsay (foot passengers only, with room for a few bicycles). The Oban ferry terminal is a very short walk from Oban train station.
Once you’re on Lismore there is a taxi service. If you plan on using this, it needs to be booked in advance, by calling Dorothy or John on 01631 760 220. The island is also very bike friendly, as it’s just 12 miles long, and a mile wide, with gently undulating quiet roads.
It would be useful if you are able to bring a laptop, to upload photos from your camera.

“A great introduction to composition, clearly explained and broken down.” – 2012 workshop participant
I’m also available to teach on a one to one basis, or to run workshops with groups elsewhere in Scotland. Please contact me for more information. And if you’re keen to get started, I’ve written a few pages with some hints to start you thinking. Here’s a link to the first one: 6 tips for taking memorable photos.